Guillermo Araya, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Industrial Engineering at Klesse College, has been honored with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). This prestigious award, established in 1996, is the highest recognition granted by the U.S. government to outstanding early-career scientists and engineers. 

Dr. Araya's research focuses on the phenomenon of turbulent boundary-layer separation in fluid dynamics. His innovative approach combines simulation techniques, graphics processing unit (GPU) parallel programming, and scientific visualization. This work has provided foundational insights into flow separation and its impact on heat and contaminant transport. Utilizing high-resolution direct numerical simulations at elevated Reynolds numbers, Dr. Araya's studies have enhanced the understanding of transport phenomena during the separation process. Additionally, his use of virtual and augmented reality for scientific visualization has significantly contributed to both research and education in turbulence. 

Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Araya is dedicated to promoting high-performance computing, computational thinking, and modeling among K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students. His commitment to education and mentorship has inspired a new generation of engineers and researchers.